Bead converter



Jan. 6, "1'959 H. J. FEIBELMAN 2,867,052

BEAD CONVERTER Filed April 3, 1957 n @@@Qp/@ Giga @@@QQ United States BEAD CONVERTER Hans J. Feibelman, Providence, R. I., assigner to Coro of Rhode Island, Inc., a corporation of Rhode Island Application April 3, 1957, Serial No. 650,478

4 Claims. `(Cl. 41-10) vision of a converter whereby an elongated single strand of beads may be converted to a plurality of laligned shorter rows whereby to provide a choker, bracelet, orl

the like.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a bead converter of the character described which is simple and versatile in operation and which does not detract from the ornamental appearance of the item with which it is associated.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision of a bead converter which is simple and effective in use, but which, nevertheless, is economically feasible to manufacture.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as ythe description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out my invention:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a portion of a double beaded strand embodying the instant invention in order to maintain the strands in proper alignment;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a portion of a triple beaded strand utilizing the instant converter;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a portion of a four-row beaded strand utilizing the instant converter;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the converter per se;

Fig. 5 is an edge view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of my converter after the end links have been pivoted inwardly;

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail of one of the converter end links per se;

Fig. 8 is a perspective detail of one of the end link channel caps per se;

Fig. 9 is a perspective detail of the converter center link per se;

Fig. 10 is a perspective detail of the center link channel cap; and

Fig. ll is a section taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 6.

It has been found desirable to provide simple and readily operable means for converting a single strand of detachable individual beads of the type shown in United States Patent No. 2,714,269 into a plurality of aligned rows whereby to provide a double-strand necklace or a choker, if desired, or even a bracelet. As will be obvious, some sort of guide means are necessary for mainatent fice taining the plurality of rows of beads in properly aligned relation, and it is toward the provision of a deviceV of this type that the instant invention is directed. I prefer to term the device a converter since it functions to convert a single strand of detachable beads into a wide variety of different and attractive arrangements. It will be understood that while the instant description hereinafter describes a converter selectively operable to convert a single strand into two, three or four aligned rows,

the principle of my invention actually may be utilized to provide any desired plurality of rows.

Referring now to the drawings, a bead converter constructed in accordance with the instant invention is shown generally at 10, said converter comprising a center link 12 and two identical end links 14. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. 9, center .link 12 comprises a pair of integrally joined circular portions 16, each having a centrally Ydisposed `opening18 therein, and each further having enlarged peripheral portions 20; The link 12 may be Vconstructed of any desired material, but prefer. ably, lit is metallic; and it will be noted, still referring to Fig. 9, that each of the openings 18ha's a plurality .of holding lugs 22 extending from' its edgebportionfrsaid lugs being integral, and th'e lugs of one hole extending in an oppositedirection from the lugs Yof theother hole.

' As aforementioned, the end links 14 areidentical'and comprise a .pair of integrally joined Vcircular portions 24 having openings 26 blanked therein.` The1openings` 26 are substantially the same size as the aforedescribed openings 18 -in center link 12,Y andare spaced from'each other a corresponding distance to that which'exists between said openings 18. As will be noted, oneof the` circular members 24 is provided with an integral enlargedr` peripheral portion 28, said portion corresponding lin size. and contour to the aforedescribed portions 20 oflink 12.Vv

Referring now to Figs. 8 and l0, channel caps 30'-an`d 32 areprovided for securement to enlarged peripheral portions 28 and 20, respectively. As 'willi yber noted;v channel cap A30 is of arcuate coniiguration's'o as ,to'snugly receive therein the portion 28, the5securementbeingby; any desirable means, such as clinching, soldering or the like. Channel cap 32, on the other hand, is of double arcuate configuration so as to simultaneously receive therein each of the portions 20, and here again, the securement is by any desirable means.

In assembling the links together, one of the end links 14 is pivotally secured to one of the circular members 16 while the other end link is pivotally secured to the other section 16. More specifically, this pivotal assembly is obtained by superimposing the perfectly round section 24 over one of the sections 16 so that the openings 26 and 18 coincide. After the parts have been so positioned, the lugs 22 may be clinched outwardly as shown at 34 (Fig. 4) whereupon the parts are securely assembled to each other but are free for relative pivotal movement. As aforeindicated, the other end link 14 is secured to the other section 16 in the same manner, it being understood that this securement will take place on the opposite surface of link 12, this being necessitated by the fact that the holding lugs 22 extend in opposite directions. When the links are completely assembled in this manner, they assume the appearance indicated in Fig. 4, it being noted that the channel caps 30 of each of the end links 14 are substantially aligned with channel cap 32 and are in abutting relation therewith as indicated at 36 whereby to 'act as a limit stop for preventing further counterclockwise rotation of the top link 14 and further clockwise rotation of the bottom link 14 (when viewing Fig. 4).

It will be understood thatV in Fig. 4 the converter 1t) is positioned so as to maintain four aligned bead strands in position in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. It will be understood that the beads 38 are Vtenance and alignment of the beads; and if desirable,

some sort of ornamentation, such as rhinestones o r the like, may be secured to the outermost surfaces 42, 44 of channel caps 30 and 32, respectively, so as `to enhance the ornamental appearance of the assembled beads.

Since, as aforedescribed, the end links 14 are pivotally attached to center link 12, said end links may be pivoted toward each other in a manner thought to be clearly shown .in Fig. 4 of the drawings. More specifically, when viewing Fig. 4, the bottom end link may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, while the top end link may be pivoted clockwise. Since the links 14 are on opposite sides of the center link 12, they each may be pivoted through approximately 180 degrees luntil the converter assumes the appearance illustrated in Fig. Y6. In this position of the parts, the inner edges 46 of Achannel cap 32 act as stop means for limiting the `rotation of end links 14 due to the fact that the exposed outer ,contour 4S of each of said end links will eventually abut said inner surface as at 50. It will be obvious ,that-.when each of the end links 14 has been pivoted inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6, the converter is adapted to provide a double strand of beads as shown in vPig. l. On .the other hand, if desired, only one of the end links 14may be pivoted inwardly in the manner aforedescribed whereupon the converter will be in position for aligning three rows of beaded strand, note Fig. 2.

It is essential to the successful operation of my converter that the openings 26 in each of the end links 14 be substantially the same size as the openings. 18 in center link 12. Furthermore, it is necessary that `each pair of openings be spaced from each other an identical distance in order that the openings may .properly coincide when the end links are pivoted inwardly in the manner aforedescribed. It is also essential that each of the end links be secured to an opposite side of center link 12; otherwise said end links would abut each other during their inward pivotal movement. The device is extremely simple and effective in use and is quite versatile, as illustrated by Figs. 1 through 3. Furthermore, my converter may actually add to the pleasing ornamental appearance of the beaded strands, particularly where the outer edge thereof is ornamented with rhinestones or the like.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except in so far as indicated by the scope of the `appended claims.

I claim:

l. A bead converter of the character described comprising a center link having a pair of openings in spaced, side-by-side relation, and a substantially identical end link overlappingly abutting said center link so that one of the openings of the former ycoincides with one ofthe openings of the latter, said links being pivotally secured to each other about the center axis of said coinciding openings, said center link having an enlarged marginal cap extending along one longitudinal edge thereof, whereby to act as a stop for limiting inward pivotal movement of said end link.

2. `ln a device of claim l, said end link havinga longitudinally extending marginal cap adjacent the free opening thereof, said end link cap and said center Vlink cap being in aligned, abutting relation when the end link is outwardly pivoted.

3. In the device of claim 2, there being a similar end link pivoted to the other of said center link openings, said end links abutting opposite surfaces `of said center link.

4. In a device of claim 3, the pivotal securement between Ysaid end links and said center Ylink comprising lugs extending from the marginal portion of one of said coinciding openings through its associated coinciding yopening and then being outwardly clinched.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,670,278 Belcher May 15, 1928 

